SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby
No Result
View All Result
SportBeep.com
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
Home Baseball

Ohtani focused ahead of MLB season opener in Seoul

Michael Taylor by Michael Taylor
March 16, 2024
in Baseball
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
2
20
SHARES
246
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Japan's Shohei Ohtani says focused on baseball despite being the subject of sky-high global interest  . ©AFP

Seoul (AFP) – Shohei Ohtani said Saturday he was focused on baseball despite being the subject of sky-high global interest as he prepares to make his Los Angeles Dodgers regular-season debut in South Korea.

The Dodgers will play the San Diego Padres in two games in Seoul to open the Major League Baseball season next week, with new signing Ohtani the undoubted main attraction.

Related news

MLB Cubs smash team-record eight homers to crush Cardinals

July 4, 2025
313

Cleveland pitcher Ortiz put on paid leave during MLB probe

July 3, 2025
418

Dodgers ace Kershaw notches 3,000th strikeout

July 2, 2025
1.1k

Ohtani unleashes 101.7mph fastball in third start for Dodgers

June 29, 2025
410

MLB legend Parker, two-time World Series champ, dies at 74

June 28, 2025
608

Ohtani, Judge first players selected for MLB All-Star Game

June 26, 2025
1.7k

The Japanese superstar joined the Dodgers on a 10-year deal worth $700 million in December and further ramped up already massive attention when he announced last month that he had got married.

Ohtani said he was “grateful for the attention” but he stressed that playing baseball came first.

“I try to only concentrate on what I have to do,” the 29-year-old told reporters in Seoul.

“Whatever is in front of me, that’s what I focus on.”

Ohtani had kept his wife’s identity firmly under wraps but he posted a first picture of them together on social media on Friday as they prepared to board the flight to South Korea.

She was identified as former basketball player Mamiko Tanaka, following weeks of intense speculation.

Hundreds of fans greeted them at South Korea’s Incheon airport on Friday, with some screaming Ohtani’s name and holding up shirts with his name on them.

Ohtani, nicknamed “Sho-Time”, said he was excited to be in South Korea and looking forward to getting the new season started.

“Japan and South Korea have played each other in lots of really exciting games and I used to watch them when I was a kid,” he said.

“I always thought South Korea were a really great team.

I’m really happy to play here and it was nice to see so many people welcoming us at the airport.”

Ohtani won his second American League Most Valuable Player award in six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels last year but departed for free agency after failing to enjoy even a winning season, much less reach the MLB playoffs.

Known for his skills as a pitcher as well as swinging the bat, he will not take the mound in 2024 after undergoing right elbow surgery last September.

Team-mate Freddie Freeman said the attention that Ohtani brings to the Dodgers “means something exciting happened in the off-season”.

“I think we’re starting to get used to it a little bit, but I don’t know if anyone can get used to this,” said Freeman.

“This is exciting, it’s fun for us, and it’s fun to be playing in front of a lot more new fans this year.”

The Dodgers also signed Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who won the World Baseball Classic alongside Ohtani last year.

© 2024 AFP

Tags: Los Angeles DodgersMLBShohei Ohtani
Share8Tweet5Share
Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor

Sport journalist known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary. Renowned for his passionate storytelling and deep understanding of the games he covers, Michael continues to captivate audiences with his engaging style.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Follow Us

Popular News

  • Saudis the next test for the new version of ‘Pepball’

    32 shares
    Share 13 Tweet 8
  • ‘Rarely been so angry’: Bayern’s Kompany seethes after Musiala injury

    16 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Kipyegon, Duplantis, Thompson highlight Eugene Diamond League

    51 shares
    Share 20 Tweet 13
  • Ravenous return: Fast-chewing Chestnut wins July 4th hot dog contest

    17 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 4
  • ‘Difficult day’ for Al Hila’s Portugal pair – Inzaghi

    56 shares
    Share 22 Tweet 14
SportBeep.com

Welcome to SportBeep, your ultimate destination for all things sports! If you're passionate about the NFL, NBA, MLS, NHL, MLB, or any other sport, you're in the right place. Here, you'll find the latest news, in-depth analyses, and commentary on the most important sporting events and personalities from around the world.

Pages

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

News

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Soccer
  • Hockey
  • Tennis
  • Golf

Network

  • Coolinarco.com
  • CasualSelf.com
  • Fit.CasualSelf.com
  • Sport.CasualSelf.com
  • MachinaSphere.com
  • EconomyLens.com
  • MagnifyPost.com
  • TodayAiNews.com
  • VideosArena.com

© 2024 SportBeep ~ Top Sports News from around the world!

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Athletics
  • More
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Combat sports
    • Cricket
    • Figure Skating
    • Racing
    • Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Rugby

© 2024 SportBeep.com - Best Sport News